Make way for Poochie.

I went to a baby shower yesterday. It was a fete given in honor of one of my friends at Corporate Behemoth.

Driving over, I realized that the last shower I had attended was probably the one I hosted five years ago. After I broke up with Ex-Ex, I avoided them because they only made me feel more "other," more behind. And by the time I got over that, most of my friends had had their first babies.

So, off to the shower I went, vaguely remembering stupid games involving guessing the candy bar melted in the diaper. Luckily, my prayers were answered and this shower, mercifully, had no games. Just food and gifts. And I wasn't subjected to oohing and ahhing over a Diaper Genie. It was pretty no-nonsense stuff.

One of the last gifts was a lovely basket full of children's books. Classics like "Make Way for Ducklings" and "Harold and the Purple Crayon." A wonderful, wonderful gift.

And my gut reaction was, "Oh! I wonder if The Ladybug has those books? I'll have to check and pump up her library if not."

And then I remembered that The Ladybug's literacy - or lack thereof - is so totally not my concern.

Later, I walked up and down every aisle at Hobby Lobby, mostly for something to do. Poochie called and we ended up visiting about his ladyfriend and the recent developments in my world.

I ended up sitting on a display unit in the Hobby Lobby fabric department, telling my brother about the books, about the whole Ex-Boyfriend Formerly Known as Mr. Wonderful dating Lisa thing.

I was a really good partner, and I was on the way to being a great stepmom.

Poochie interjected. "Yeah, Cha Cha, you were great. And you're going to be great at whatever you do. But he threw it all away. It doesn't have anything to do with you."Ol' Poochie's got a point there. And really, would you disagree with this dude? He will cut you with one stroke of his oar.